Your safety and security is very important to us at Pointe Coupee General Hospital. Security is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week and can be contacted by calling the hospital operator or notifying your nurse.

Firearms, illegal drugs, and alcohol are prohibited on hospital grounds.

Periodically, fire and disaster drills are conducted to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients. If a drill occurs during your hospital stay, calmly remain in your room and follow instructions by the staff. Patients and visitors do not participate in these drills. You will expect to hear alarm bells and overhead pages. Fire doors will close automatically, and at night overhead lights will come on. An “all clear” will be announced when the drill is over.

Patient safety is extremely important. Falling can be a very serious problem for hospitalized patients. In order to ensure a safe stay while in the hospital, patients and families are asked to follow the following fall prevention guidelines:

1. Ask for help when getting out of bed, especially at night. The hospital is an unfamiliar place and most falls happen when the patient tries to get out of bed on their own to go to the bathroom.

2. Make sure the nurse's call bell on the bed is within reach.

3. Call for help before the need to go to the bathroom becomes really urgent.

4. Make sure the light is on at night when walking to the bathroom or around the hospital room.

5. Keep eyeglasses within reach.

6. Ensure that any furniture or equipment is moved out of the path to the door.

7. Wear footwear with nonskid soles to prevent slipping.

8. Inform the staff of any fluid spills or obstructions that might trip people.

9. Ensure that the brakes are locked on the hospital bed and wheelchairs.

10. Ensure that children are supervised around raised equipment such as beds.